Lake Yamanaka

Lake Yamanaka, literally the lake in the mountain in Japanese, is the nearest to Mt. Fuji among Fuji Five Lakes. Thus, it’s also the lake at the highest altitude in the surroundings. It is at the northeast foot of Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi Prefecture, and in the middle of Lake Kawaguchi and Gotemba city. Lake Yamanaka has a largest area, over 6.5 km2 (2.5 square miles), in the Fuji Five Lakes. Of course, it is a great place to see Mt. Fuji, attracting seething tourists.

Top Spots to See Mt. Fuji

1. Panoramic Viewing Platform

The viewing platform in the east of Lake Yamanaka is absolutely the best place to look Mt. Fuji into a distance as well as the Lake Yamanaka. When the weather is good, the lake dyed red by the evening glow is beyond imagination at sunset.

2. Nagaike Shinsui Park

On the northern shore of the lake, Nagaike Shinsui Park aka Nagaike Water Park is also popular to see Mt. Fuji over Lake Yamanaka. The inverted reflection of Mt. Fuji on the lake and “Diamond Fuji” at sunrise or sunset (the sun looks like a diamond inlaid in the summit) are breathtaking. In particular, the infrequent “Double Diamond Fuji” (Diamond Fuji and its refection) attracts many visitors and shutterbugs.

Note: “Double Diamond Fuji” usually occurs from mid-November to mid-February.

3. Hana-no-miyako Park

On the northwest shore of Lake Yamanaka, that is the Hana-no-miyako Park known for vast flower fields under Mt. Fuji. It is also a top place to see Mt. Fuji together with the prosperous flowers. Tulips from late April to early May, babysbreath from late June to early July, sunflowers in August, cosmos from mid-September to mid-October, etc. sprawl widely, composing a fine view with Mt. Fuji.

Cruise around Lake Yamanaka

The sightseeing boat Yamanakako Swan Lake, in the shape of an elegant swan, would take you to cruise around the Lake Yamanaka.

Piers	Asahigaoka trestle boarding area & Yamanaka trestle boarding area
Departing Timings	Asahigaoka: 09:30-16:30 Yamanaka: 09:45-16:15 It departs every 30 minutes.
Time Required	25 minutes or so for a circle around the lake
Fare	JPY 1,100 per adult

When the Swan Lake cruise stops operation due to bad weather or for unscheduled maintenance, the excursion ship "New Waka Fuji" may be operated instead.

“Hippo” Amphibious Bus Yamanakako No Kaba

The eye-catching amphibious bus Yamanakako No Kaba is worth a try at Lake Yamanaka. In a cute design like hippo, the white bus is printed with patterns of blue hippos as well. There are 2 “hippo” buses run in turn, departing at Asahigaoka bus stop on the southern shore of Lake Yamanaka.

Yamanakako No Kaba would run on land around Asahigaoka area and rush into Lake Yamanaka for a cruise. The windows can be opened, and water splash at the moment of entering the lake, which is an extraordinarily exciting experience!

Frequency	7-9 excursions a day in different months Generally, the excursions would be more on the warmer days than winter days.
Departing Time of First / Last Excursion	09:15 / 10:00 – 15:15 / 16:00
Fare	JPY 2,300 per adult

Cycling along the Lakeshore

Lake Yamanaka is well-facilitated with cycling tracks, providing a great opportunity to enjoy cycling in a breeze around the lake under Mt. Fuji. Mild spring and autumn days are recommended for a cycling tour around Lake Yamanaka, meanwhile enjoying the stunning sceneries in the surroundings.

The loop line for cycling is about 14km (8.7 miles) long, which would take 1.5 to 2 hours to finish the tour. On the way, you could also take a rest or stopover to the parks, viewing platforms or museums by Lake Yamanaka.

Bicycle rental can be available around the lake, including shops of Jupiter by the Yamanaka sightseeing boat boarding site, Komeisou Marina at Yamanakako Village Office, and Yamanaka Tourist Information Center near the Asahigaoka bus stop.

Soak in Onsen under Mt. Fuji

Onsen is also a leisure attraction around Lake Yamanaka, you can find the onsen spot or ryokan easily on the lakeshore. Ishiwari-no-yu Hot Spring, in the northeast of Lake Yamanaka, offers traditional wooden houses with the onsen pool. Benifuji-no-yu in the west has large public onsen bathhouse, and the private onsen pool there you can look out into Mt. Fuji.

Museum Safari around the Lake

Lake Yamanaka is also great for a museum safari with some interesting galleries and museums on shore. Yamanakako Teddy Bear World Museum shows the teddy bears collected from the world. Mishima Yukio Literary Museum has many manuscripts and works of Mishima Yukio, the famous Japanese writer, on display. Santa Claus (Nomorisantakurosu) Museum is a scenic spot at a Christmas atmosphere all year round, showing all kinds of Santa figures and items.

Hiking around the Neighboring Hills

Hiking sounds good with hiking trails on a pleasant day. You could enjoy your hiking tour along the circular lake loop. Otherwise, the hiking course connects the Lake Yamanaka and surrounding mountains is challenging for more magnificent scenes of the lake and nearby Mt. Fuji.

How to Get to Lake Yamanaka

Direct Highway bus to Lake Yamanaka:
Highway buses can take you to Lake Yamanaka directly from Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, Ikebukuro, Yokohama, and Mishima in Shizuoka.

You can also get to Lake Kawaguchi at first, where more vehicles including buses and trains reach. Then, the sightseeing bus from Lake Kawaguchi to Lake Yamanaka is easy to be caught in 50 minutes or so.